About Us
About the Australian Men's Shed Association
Established in 2007 as a ‘grass roots’ Charitable organisation, today the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) is a national service provider supporting a membership of more than 985 Men’s Sheds across Australia.The Men’s Shed concept now operates globally. With Australian support there are organizations operating in Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, North America, Canada and New Zealand as well as Men’s Sheds operating in Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Kenya. In total there is over 2000 Men’s Sheds now operating across the globe supporting hundreds of thousands of Men and their communities.
Men’s Sheds are community volunteer-based, non-commercial organisations that aim to address social inclusion, participation and positive engagement. Men’s Sheds are vital community investments delivering activities that foster community spirit, connectedness, contribute to building a more inclusive Australia and devote most of their time to worthwhile community projects that address engagement and deliver great benefits for the wider community. In many regions, they are the main or only focal point for positive male participation and activity.
Many men often create strong social connections through their workplace and many corporations and industries focus on this when developing their corporate cultures with the aim of maximizing performance. The stronger the culture the bigger the void that is left when exiting the workforce.
Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive, contributing to your community, connecting with friends and maintaining an active body and mind. Becoming a member of a Men’s Shed provides a safe and busy environment where men can find many of these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship. And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and talk if that is all they’re looking for.
The primary objective of a Men's Shed is the prevention of social isolation, but Men’s Sheds have evolved into much more, with a strong focus on Men’s Health issues and preventative measures such as our “Spanner in the Works” male health screening program. The common denominator and leading objective of all Men’s Sheds globally lies within the motto of our organisation:
“Men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder”
The 8th National Men’s Shed Gathering will be held at the Morphettville Racecourse Adelaide SA and is expected to attract over 300 delegates. It aims to promote the Community of Men’s Sheds throughout Australia and the contribution Men’s Sheds make to their own communities.
Delegates will come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, including ‘shedders’, shed coordinators, health and aged care providers, educators and policy makers.
The 2019 Gathering, themed Our Community, will include traditional content such as information on Men’s Shed operations, however, there will be a strong focus on acknowledging and celebrating the community of Men’s Sheds and the impact they have on community capacity building. Men’s Sheds are not isolated, stand alone community facilities but rather an activity that is well enmeshed into their community network.
The Gathering will encourage delegates to share, talk and discover the best ways to keep the Shed movement momentum continuing forward. Streams will be presented by experienced shedders, professional service providers and the highly skilled AMSA team.
About DC Conferences
DC Conferences (DCC) has over 28 years experience in managing conferences for national and international associations predominantly within the healthcare and scientific sector. DCC fosters respect, trust and transparency in all their relationships and value and protect the exceptional reputation they have built up over time.
DCC is extremely proud of the long-term relationships we have with our clients; relationships which have developed because of our philosophy to become an integral part of our clients’ team and to invest in their aims and goals for each event.
For further information please contact the Conference Secretariat: DC Conferences Pty Ltd
Suite 103, Level 1, 3-5 West Street, North Sydney NSW 2060, Australia | PO Box 637, North Sydney 2059
P 612 9954 4400 | F 612 9954 0666 | E mensshed2019@dcconferences.com.au